Just In! EFCC Detains Former Governor Akpabio Again

Ex-Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, has returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for more questioning after he was allowed to go home Friday night.

Mr. Akpabio, who is also the incumbent minority leader of the Senate, arrived the EFCC at 11.45 am today Saturday, accompanied by his counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Rikey Tarfa and some aides.

According to reports reaching us, as soon as the former governor arrived at the commission, he was moved into the interrogation room. A source who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorized to speak on the issue, told them.

Mr. Rickey Tarfa and aides to the former governor watched helplessly as the anti-graft operatives led Mr. Akpabio away. The source also hinted that the former governor might spend the day with the commission. He is still been interrogated by crack detectives of the commission as at the time of filling this report.

Mr. Akpabio was arrested by the anti-graft agency on Friday afternoon and taken in for interrogation.

He was, however, allowed to go home late in the night but asked to report to the commission today (Saturday). Shortly after he regained his freedom, Mr. Akpabio gave insight into why he was interrogated for several hours by EFCC operatives.

Speaking with a PREMIUM TIMES reporter shortly after he left the EFCC headquarters late on Friday night, Mr. Akpabio admitted that he was summoned by the anti-graft body to respond to several allegations of corruption against him. He however said he was not arrested, but that he honoured the commission’s invitation voluntarily.

“A young lawyer from my state has been petitioning the EFCC accusing me of corruption. So shortly before I got involved in an accident in August, the EFCC summoned me to come and respond to the allegations.  

But following the accident, I wasn’t well enough to honour the EFCC summon. And I let them know. So today, since I’m now well, and the Senate did not sit, I decided to honour the EFCC so as to answer questions concerning the allegations against me.  

I wasn’t arrested. I walked in there myself and now I’m back at home. The EFCC operatives were professional. They asked questions, and I answered.”

Mr. Akpabio insisted the allegations against him were false, saying “those making the allegations do not understand how government works”.

The former governor, who is now Senate Minority Leader, said the lawyer who dragged him to the EFCC submitted at least four different petitions, and that it would take a while for him to respond to each of the allegations.

“So I will return to the EFCC again as necessary,” he said.

Mr. Akpabio added